Happy Birthday, Jean Fritz

George Washington’s Breakfast, George Washington’s Mother, Just a Few Words, Mr. Lincoln, And Then What Happened, Paul Revere?, Can’t You Make Them Behave, King George?, Shh! We’re Writing the Constitution, What’s the Big Idea, Ben Franklin?, Where Do You Think You’re Going, Christopher Columbus?, Who’s That Stepping on Plymouth Rock?, Will You Sign Here, John Hancock?, You Want Women to Vote, Lizzie Stanton?, The Double Life of Pocahontas, Bully for You, Teddy Roosevelt, The Great Little Madison, Harriet Beecher Stowe and the Beecher Preachers, Make Way for Sam Houston, Stonewall, Traitor: The Case of Benedict Arnold, Why Not, Lafayette?.
The titles of Jean Fritz’s historical non-fiction books are self-explanatory. Fritz is an invaluable treasure for students and teachers of U.S. history. In fact, I have some of Fritz’s books on the reading list for my AP US history students, even though the books were written for elementary age students. Jean Fritz makes history so interesting; she writes about people and finds the most intriguing episodes in their lives.
Did you know?
Lincoln didn’t scribble the Gettysburg Address on the back of an envelope.
Samuel Adams didn’t ride horseback.
Stonewall Jackson liked to suck lemons.
James Madison was really short.
George III collected clocks.
Benedict Arnold loved shoes.

Jean Fritz was born on November 16, 1915 in Hankow, China. She was the only child of missionary parents.

3 thoughts on “Happy Birthday, Jean Fritz

  1. >I have some of Fritz’s books on the reading list for my AP US history students, even though the books were written for elementary age students.< Good for you!! Children's historical fiction picture books often illustrate the finer points of history in a way a 250 page nonfiction tome cannot. They are ageless and timeless! Check out Louise Borden. I have just finished her new book about Holland in WWII and will be reviewing it soon. My favorite Fritz book is Leonardo's Horse illustrated by the wonderful Hudson Talbott.

  2. That is wonderful. Picture books can illustrate a point in history in a way that tomes and tomes of writing cannot. My favorite Fritz book is Leonardo’s Horse illustrated by the wonderful Hudson Talbott. Also look at Louise Borden. Her new WWII book about Holland is wonderful.

  3. Is Jean Fritz still alive? If so, do know how I can get in contact with her?

    Thanks,
    Bill

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